Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management at a Glance

Definition

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is a form of violence risk assessment that assesses individuals who have threatened harm. 

In a school context, a multidisciplinary team works together to promote safety and prevent violence that may impact the school community.¹

The process involves gathering information to assess the nature and seriousness of the threat and implementing interventions to reduce the risk that the threat will be carried out. 

Quick Facts – BTAM is:

• Part of a comprehensive approach to school safety plans. 
• A fact-based approach that is case specific. 
• Early intervention. 
• Violence prevention. 
• Compassion-based and student-focused. 

Misunderstandings – BTAM is not:

• Zero tolerance, leading to overly punitive or intensive interventions (i.e. suspension, law enforcement). 
• A criminal investigation or conviction. 
• A site survey, or security audit. 
• Profiling based on traits or characteristics. 
• Violence prediction. 

Did You Know:

• When done appropriately, threat assessment can reduce the likelihood of violence.²
• Threat assessment can improve the ability to address the mental and behavioral needs of students. A study of schools using the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) found that students receiving a threat assessment were more likely to receive counseling services and parent conferences.³
• Threat assessment promotes more fair outcomes. A study of CSTAG showed that schools using threat assessment saw substantial reductions in the racial disparity in long-term suspension. Another study of CSTAG showed that students receiving special education services also did not receive disproportionately higher rates of school suspensions when threat assessment was used.^{4, 5}

Collaborators

• Carolyn Seiger (Instructional Designer, National Center for School Safety)
• Allison Schreiber, MAIR (School Safety Specialist, National Center for School Safety)
• Heather Murphy, MA, LPC, NCC (School Safety Specialist, National Center for School Safety)
• Aysha Lonich, MEd, BCBA (School Safety Specialist, National Center for School Safety)
• Sarah Mason, MPH (Research Assistant, National Center for School Safety)
• Erin Wyatt (Marketing Communications Specialist, National Center for School Safety)